Summer Veggie Pasta Food

SUMMER VEGGIE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to packet instructions, adding fresh broad beans for the last 3 minutes (frozen for the last 2 minutes).
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large frying pan, tip in the onion and cook over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and courgettes, toss over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes and shake in the Tabasco. Stir for 2-3 minutes to soften the tomatoes a little (not too much or they will go mushy). Drain the pasta and beans.
• Toss the veggies and basil into the pasta and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot (or cold as a salad with a low-fat dressing).

SUMMER GARDEN PASTA

Steps:

• Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
• Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes (reserving the juice for another use if desired). Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes with your hand, adding them to the saucepan as you go. Season with salt and pepper. Add the basil and parsley sprigs (reserve the chopped herbs for later) and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a very low simmer for about 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
• While the sauce cooks, heat a large double-burner grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the pepper, squash, zucchini and onion with the remaining tablespoon olive oil, making sure to coat all sides. Sprinkle with salt and grill, turning once, until well-marked and crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on the vegetable. Transfer the onion to a large mixing bowl. Transfer the pepper, squash and zucchini to a cutting board and cut crosswise into strips. Add to the bowl with the onion and cover with foil.
• Cook the penne in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Remove the herb sprigs from the sauce and stir in half of the chopped herbs. Add to the bowl and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta in bowls topped with the remaining chopped herbs and Parmesan.

SUMMER VEGGIE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling; add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water; drain again. Transfer pasta to a large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add zucchini; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add snap peas; cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes; cook 30 seconds or until beginning to soften. Transfer vegetable mixture to pasta bowl; toss well.
• For shallot-mustard dressing, in a small bowl combine shallot, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in remaining oil; stir in parsley. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss well.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to 3 days to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, sprinkle each serving with Asiago cheese.

SUMMER VEGGIE PASTA DINNER

Steps:

• While putting sauce together, cook pasta as directed, drain. It'll probably be ready close to when the veggies are --
• Slowly cook garlic in olive oil, low heat, about four minutes.
• Raise heat a bit, add bell peppers, cook another 3-4 minutes, then add zucchini and mushrooms.
• Prevent child from eating all the goat cheese.
• When zukes and peppers are cooked to your liking (about 4 more minutes for us), add remaining ingredients and heat through til tomatoes give up some of their juices and the cheese has melted into the sauce.
• Stir in cooked pasta and heat through. Pasta will soak up the sauce.
• Serve with extra crumbled goat cheese on top if desired.